Israeli government hanging by a thread, chance of survival relies on two-ultra-Orthodox parties

The Israeli government now enjoys only a minority status following Hebrew media reports which suggest that two major Haredi parties have withdrawn from Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition after office politics or rather religious politics with two-ultra-orthodox parties withdrawing post non-conscription in military request for ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students.

The move comes amid Degel HaTorah, which holds four Knesset seats, and Shas, with 11 seats, after the government has failed to deliver on its long-promised draft exemption laws.

Netanyahu is in a single government for the first time since he took office, post withdrawal of the two parties, cutting seat share from 65 to 50.


While the larger base broadly deposes broad military draft exemption, the ultra-Orthodox parties demand permanent exemptions.

As the coalition weakens, Netanyahu is hanging for straws as both parties shall not support a no-confidence motion, but also unsure of the future as the two parties have also not joined any other party making more confusion.

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Crises arisen from draft exemption

The coalition crisis stems from Netanyahu's inability to advance legislation that would permanently exempt ultra-Orthodox men from mandatory military service. The Haredi parties had been demanding this law as a key condition for remaining in the government.

Netanyahu faces pressure from two directions: his ultra-Orthodox partners want sweeping draft exemptions, while his broader political base opposes giving religious students permanent military service exemptions. A key lawmaker has also blocked efforts to create exemption legislation the Haredi parties would accept.

Netanyahu is a minority now

Netanyahu’s task at hand is not light as he would need to build temporary alliances to pass bills and secure votes with a guaranteed majority. It would need Haredi parties’ help on specific issues.

The administration and day-to-day governance can be severely impacted as a loss of 15 seats is not insignificant.

Netanyahu’s hope to survival or a ‘renaissance-like’ takeover from the opposition, is the Haredi parties who have not yet joined the Opposition which now controls 70 seats compared to the government’s 50.